The Hazleton Kitchen Incubator is pleased to welcome back Acacia Nay’s Catering, led by chef and entrepreneur Dominique Pane. After previously working from the Kitchen Incubator, Pane recently returned to the program with a refreshed brand, renewed focus, and plans to grow her catering business throughout the Greater Hazleton Area.
Acacia Nay’s Catering specializes in what Pane calls “global comfort food,” blending traditional recipes with modern twists inspired by cuisines from around the world. From mushroom toast and chicken franchise to seafood boils and empanadas, the menu reflects her passion for creating dishes that feel both familiar and inventive.
For Pane, cooking has always been a lifelong passion rooted in family traditions. “I have been cooking since I was a little girl,” she said. “Some of my earliest memories are making homemade cavatelli pasta with my father and helping cook dinner for my family. As I got older, I knew this was something I wanted to pursue professionally.”
Pane began developing her skills through a vocational culinary program in high school before continuing her education at Luzerne County Community College. There, she earned three associate degrees in hospitality management, pastry arts, and culinary arts, while working full time and gaining experience in every corner of the kitchen, from dishwasher to line cook to management.
With nearly 15 years of experience in the food industry, Pane launched Acacia Nay’s Catering in 2023. The name reflects both personal meaning and family inspiration. “Acacia” represents a spiritual connection for Pane (the acacia tree is often seen as a sacred symbol of purity, resilience, and divine connection) while “Nay” honors her late cousin who played a significant role in encouraging her culinary journey.
Pane’s journey to building her business has come with its own set of challenges. After obtaining her LLC in November 2020, the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic put her plans on hold. Later, an attempt to open a grab-and-go location was cut short by unexpected financial hardships that forced her to regroup and rethink her strategy.
Determined to continue pursuing her dream, Pane rebranded the business and returned to the Hazleton Kitchen Incubator, where she had previously operated.
“It feels really great coming back to the Kitchen Incubator,” she said. “After rebranding and restructuring the business, I have a much clearer vision for how I want to grow. The Incubator gives me a licensed kitchen to work in and helps make the business feel more established while I build my client base.”
The Hazleton Kitchen Incubator provides food entrepreneurs with access to a fully licensed commercial kitchen, along with resources and guidance to help them launch and grow their businesses without the significant upfront cost of opening their own facility.
Pane credits the chefs and mentors she has worked with throughout her career for helping shape her skills and passion for the food industry. She also recognizes the support of her family and friends, especially her brother as an important part of establishing her business. In addition, she thanks CAN DO’s Nico Makuta for helping her reconnect with the Kitchen Incubator program and continue moving her business forward.
Looking ahead, Pane plans to expand her customer base through catering, community events, and monthly food offerings prepared in the Kitchen Incubator. Her long-term goal is to grow Acacia Nay’s Catering into a food truck operation that can serve festivals, private parties, and regional events.
“I want to give people that home-cooked feeling, like when you were younger eating your grandmother’s soup,” she said. “Even though I have faced some challenges along the way, they only made me stronger. I am excited to keep building this business and see where it goes.”
To learn more about Acacia Nay’s Catering, follow the business at Acacia Nay’s Catering on Facebook or @acacia_nays on Instagram.
For more information about the Hazleton Kitchen Incubator or how to become a client, visit hazletonkitchen.org or contact Ana Perez at aperez@hazletoncando.com.
